Written answers

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Educational Reform104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the recent reports into the benefit or otherwise of giving homework to children in primary schools, if he will consider engaging with...

School Health and Safety Issues113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to restrict the availability of confectionary products in schools; if he will consider a ban on the selling of such products on school...

School Establishment115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the progress of establishing a primary level school in Galway city in the format of the Steiner model of education; and if...

Schools Building Projects Status116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on progress with regard to a large number of school building projects in the east Cork area due to go to...

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility117. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there will be no introduction of a capital assets test for assessing eligibility for third level student grants; if he will be publishing the...

Student Universal Support Ireland Administration118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress this year with the Student Universal Support Ireland grants service and supports provided by his Department for access programmes in...

Broadband Services Provision119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure wireless connectively in every classroom; the ICT supports there will be for the introduction of standardised testing for...

School Curriculum121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the manner in which young persons are educated about sex and issues such as abortion in secondary schools; and if he will make a...

School Staffing123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of two class teacher, three teacher, four teacher and five teacher, excluding learning support and resource teachers but including...

School Enrolments Data124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to share school enrolment data with the Department of Social Protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8908/14]

School Curriculum125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the submission by school management and professional bodies to his Department on the need for an external assessment model to support...

Special Educational Needs Services Provision126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that children with dyslexia are receiving the help they require in school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8969/14]

Schools Amalgamation127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role his Department plays in schools amalgamation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9090/14]

Schools Building Projects Status129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the works promised for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Early Years Strategy Implementation130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the final report on the Síolta quality assurance programme which he launched on 7 February last; and if he will make a...

School Curriculum131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify recent comments made by him at the Irish Primary Principals' Network conference suggesting that teachers could choose not to...

Child Protection132. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions he will be taking following the judgment from the European Court of Human Rights in the case of a person (details supplied). [9146/14]

School Accommodation134. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he does not feel it appropriate to talk to the parents and board of management of a school (details supplied) in view of the...

Child Protection135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of European Court of Human Right's Judgment 027(2014), he will introduce comprehensive reforms of the funding-management model of...

Early Years Strategy Implementation136. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the key priorities his Department has in 2014 to ensure a high quality early years education system; and if he will make a statement on the...

Third Level Fees137. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the future of third level fees here; and if there will be any further support schemes, such as the student assistance fund,...

Third Level Staff Recruitment141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the staffing shortage in the third level sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9164/14]

School Accommodation143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the level of consideration that is given to health and safety constraints that exist in schools who apply for funding for remedial works to be...

Child and Family Agency Remit144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the transfer of the National Education and Welfare Board from his Department to the Child and Family Agency; and to indicate...

State Examinations Reviews145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way he is to address the concerns of the TUI and ASTI regarding the junior cycle student award ahead of balloting their members on industrial...

Third Level Funding146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which he will receive the Higher Education Authority report on funding third level education. [9215/14]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an assessment of the impact that changes to pupil-teacher ratios is having on class numbers; and if he will make a statement...

Schools Amalgamation148. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason two primary schools (details supplied) in County Cork are being proposed for amalgamation despite the overwhelming opposition of...

Third Level Participation149. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action he will take to ensure a greater participation by persons with disabilities in third level education; and if he will make a statement...

Schools Building Projects Administration150. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department proposes to re-evaluate the school building programme on the basis of emerging school place requirements arising from...

Education Grants151. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the high enrolment figures, if he will sanction a devolved grant for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin to enable them to...

Information and Communications Technology Issues152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills with regard to the significantly increased emphasis on active learning, collection of student work in portfolios, and use of ICT to support...

Special Educational Needs Services Provision153. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to written correspondence of 24 January 2014 if he has received any advice on whether the use of isolation rooms is a breach of the UN...

Education Schemes154. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 218 of 11 February 2014, if he will further elaborate on the way the denial of funding to some book rental...

Third Level Fees155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has examined the likely impact on the imposition of fees for apprentices in view of the Government's stated aim of prioritising training...

Data Protection156. To ask the Taoiseach if he has established an information officer; if this person is in charge of developing and implementing data protection in his Department; and if he will make a...

Electoral Divisions Report157. To ask the Taoiseach the proportion of adults aged over 60 years in the 2011 census in a selection of district electoral divisions (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a...

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration161. To ask the Taoiseach the chief executive officers of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department that are on Hay contracts and those who are not on Hay contracts; and if he will...

Ministerial Travel162. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated cost of the forthcoming ministerial trips abroad for St. Patrick's Day; and if he will make a statement on...

Foreign Conflicts165. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on his engagements with counterparts at European Union level in relation to the ongoing...

Human Rights Issues166. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on reports of the deaths of 450 migrant workers from India in Qatar in 2012 and 2013; his further views...

Foreign Conflicts167. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the Argentine Republic on its legitimate rights on the sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, South...

Human Rights Issues168. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the UN Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea; if he will raise these very...

Financial Services Regulation171. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which legislation is likely to be introduced which might have a bearing on the mis-selling of financial products by financial institutions with...

Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding172. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 364 of 11 February 2014, the reason the €240 million designated as external source of finance is in fact an...

Flood Risk Insurance Cover173. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to develop a State-funded financial aid package for householders unable to get insurance cover for flood damage, because of where they live. [9172/14]

Tax Collection175. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of companies that are registered here which provide remote gambling services. [9459/14]

Tax Credits177. To ask the Minister for Finance the conditions a person must meet in order to qualify for a PAYE tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8882/14]

Tax Clearance Certificates178. To ask the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be issued with a P21 for 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8899/14]

European Investment Bank179. To ask the Minister for Finance the current status of the review by the European Investment Bank of its lending criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8900/14]

NAMA Portfolio181. To ask the Minister for Finance the value the National Asset Management Agency currently ascribes to art works it currently has in its portfolio of assets; and if he will make a statement on...

Tax Reliefs Availability182. To ask the Minister for Finance if CORU registration fees for social workers qualify in full as a tax deductible expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8904/14]

Flood Risk Insurance Cover183. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the refusal of insurance companies to provide insurance for flood cover and subsidence for many residents around the country; his plans to...

NAMA Expenditure184. To ask the Minister for Finance the rates liquidators are permitted to charge the National Asset Management Agency following the tender process for insolvency services that NAMA undertook;...

IBRC Liquidation185. To ask the Minister for Finance if there is any performance element built in to the fees agreed with KPMG in respect of the special liquidation of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, for...

Banking Sector Issues187. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is scrutinising the hospitality and corporate entertainment and other related expenditure by State owned banks; if he will provide the most up to date...

NAMA Portfolio188. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that the National Asset Management Agency’s primary objective is to maximise returns from the assets it has acquired. [9017/14]

NAMA Operations190. To ask the Minister for Finance his assessment of the impact of the National Asset Management Agency on the economy of the North of Ireland and if that impact has, to date, been positive....

NAMA Transactions193. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will confirm the revenue generated by the National Asset Management Agency from its disposal of assets in Northern Ireland; and if he will provide his...

Tax Credits195. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will arrange for a tax certificate to be issued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the...

NAMA Operations196. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the National Assets Management Agency can allow a developer a credit line to pursue legal action against homeowners trying to protect their homes...

Carbon Tax Implementation197. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will postpone and review the carbon tax at a time when one in five households is in fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9119/14]

NAMA Operations198. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding ex-Irish Nationwide Building Society residential mortgage holders (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Banking Sector Issues199. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the practice of a bank refusing to consider loan applications from anybody benefiting from the family income supplement;...

Tax Reliefs Application201. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons who availed of tax relief on gluten-free foods in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013; the total amount of this tax relief in each of those...

Property Taxation Administration202. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will arrange for the Revenue Commissioners to contact a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9, to arrange payment of their local property tax through a...

Credit Availability203. To ask the Minister for Finance when small and medium sized Irish businesses will be able to access credit from the German State-owned bank, BfW; and if he will make a statement on the...

Tax Credits204. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer in a full year of extending a tax credit of an amount equal to the PAYE tax credit to self employed persons; and if he...

Credit Review Office Reports205. To ask the Minister for Finance if there has been an increase in the number of appeals lodged with the Credit Review Office since the threshold for appeals to be considered by the Office was...

Tax Credits206. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons availing of the rent tax credit in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. [9388/14]

Home Renovation Incentive Scheme Data207. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons who have registered for the home renovation incentive scheme since its establishment. [9389/14]

Start Your Own Business Initiative208. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons who have registered for the start your own business scheme since its establishment. [9390/14]

Mortgage Protection Policies209. To ask the Minister for Finance if there is any legal requirement for lenders who are regulated entities to ensure that at the point a residential mortgage is drawn down and also during the...

VAT Payments210. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the VAT rate that is charged in the hosting and registration of domain names; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

IBRC Mortgage Loan Book213. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will address the situation of the 13,000 Irish Bank Resolution Corporation mortgage holders whose situation is very vulnerable in view of the fact the...

IBRC Liquidation214. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on requesting independent individuals of any of the four major auditing and accounting firms to the main banks before and during the crisis to...

Bank Branch Closures215. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has had discussions with his counterpart in the UK regarding the largely State owned RBS Bank and its plans for its subsidiary Ulster Bank; if it is...

Financial Services Ombudsman Issues216. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 18 February 2014, if a mortgage holder has the right to complain to the Financial Services Ombudsman in cases...

Bank Branch Closures217. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding Royal Bank of Scotland; if he will raise these concerns with the...

Departmental Staff Data218. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of staff currently seconded to his Department from external companies; the company from which each person is seconded and the role of each in his...

Black Economy Issues219. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider setting up an informal working group, to include, among others, representatives from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Members of...

Tax Credits220. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason persons (details supplied) in County Cork are paying a higher amount of income tax in 2014; if there has been a change in tax credits for the...

Banking Sector Issues221. To ask the Minister for Finance the progress made to date on the roll out of the standard bank account; the extent of involvement of An Post in the same; and if he will make a statement on...

Fuel Laundering222. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners will take all the facts of a case into account regarding a person whose van was mistakenly filled with red diesel; and if he will...

Pension Provisions223. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there will be another round of extensions for senior secondary school teachers this summer; if he will provide an update in this matter. [9664/14]

Equality Issues224. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that the Down's Syndrome (Equality of Access) Bill receives maximum support as soon as possible. [9353/14]

Teacher Exchange Scheme225. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teacher exchanges currently in place in primary schools around the country; and his plans to provide more service rights or panel...

School Enrolments Data226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of places that are available for children going into junior infants in each of the schools in a town (details supplied) in County...

Student Grant Scheme Appeals227. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the independent panel appeal of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8956/14]

School Enrolments228. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the advice his Department will provide to the parents of a person (details required) in County Wicklow who has not been able to secure a place on...

Teachers' Remuneration229. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average salary paid to a female primary teacher in January 2014. [9028/14]

School Staffing244. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the employment implications for employment for teachers who are declared bankrupt in another jurisdiction should they return to teach here. [9043/14]

School Discipline245. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals initiated at primary level in 2013 under the categories of refusal to enrol, suspension and expulsion and the...

School Inspection Reports247. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals initiated in 2013 under section 13(9) of the Education Act 1998 at primary level and the outcome of those appeals. [9046/14]

School Staffing249. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of cases of unsatisfactory teaching referred to the schools inspectorate under section 24 of the Education Act at primary level; and...

Departmental Equipment251. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the numbers of laptops, tablets and mobile phones provided to employees of his Department in 2013. [9050/14]

Teaching Qualifications253. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students in each of the colleges of education due to graduate with a B.Ed. degree in 2014. [9052/14]

School Supervision and Substitution Scheme255. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of days where a substitute has been paid by his Department as a result of primary teachers being absent on assault leave in 2013. [9054/14]

Departmental Staff Training257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of financial assistance given to employees of his Department in respect of third or fourth level course fees in each...

Teaching Qualifications258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of assistance given to primary teachers in respect of third or fourth level course fees in each of the past three...

Teacher Training Provision260. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the training that will be provided to teachers in advance of the requirement to implement new anti-bullying policies in schools. [9059/14]

Employment Rights Issues261. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to repeal section 37(1) of the Employment Equality Act. [9060/14]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision262. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when schools will be informed of resource teaching allocations for low incidence special needs for the school year 2014-15. [9061/14]

Teacher Redeployment263. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary teachers that will be redeployed via the redeployment panels at the end of the school year. [9062/14]

Asbestos Remediation Programme264. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that there is no risk to the health of pupils and teachers due to the presence of asbestos in school buildings at either...

Schools Refurbishment265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the additional funding that will be provided to repair school buildings damaged by recent weather events. [9064/14]

Departmental Reports266. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department intends to publish the value for money report on small schools. [9065/14]

Special Educational Needs Staffing267. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of resource teachers for Travellers currently employed in primary and in post-primary schools here. [9066/14]

Pupil Data Collection268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a primary pupil database. [9067/14]

Student Grant Scheme Applications269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a decision on an independent application for a student grant did not issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry ;...

Educational Disadvantage270. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the circular or policy document that prompted his Department to subsume concessionary legacy posts where the schools in question showed that...

Student Grant Scheme Applications271. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9118/14]

School Evaluations272. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department's inspectors are enabled to comment on the physical infrastructural constraints and limitations within schools as part of the...

Schools Health and Safety Issues273. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will carry out a review of the impact that vending machines are having on the health of secondary school children; and if he will make a...

School Curriculum274. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respect the outcome of the 27,000 second-level teachers who will be balloted on non-cooperation with new junior cycle proposals this...

Schools Building Projects Applications275. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a capital funding building project application from a secondary school (details supplied) in County Mayo; his views that...

Gaelscoileanna Issues276. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for increasing the number of places at the gaelsoileanna in Clondalkin to meet the growing demand for these places from local families....

School Patronage280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for new secondary education in Maynooth, County Kildare including patronage, denomination and the way it will link with other secondary...

Educational Disadvantage283. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support all disadvantaged schools on the northside of Dublin in 2014. [9240/14]

Summer Works Scheme Applications284. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application under the summer works scheme in 2014 in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [9241/14]

Teacher Statistics285. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and secondary teachers retiring in 2014; and the way he will respond to this. [9242/14]

Early School Leavers286. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils leaving our educational system at 13 years; and the responses that are in place for early drop-outs. [9243/14]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision287. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that all children with IP 36 deletion receive the maximum resource teaching house in mainstream primary schools; and if he will...

Redundancy Payments288. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a former resource teacher (details supplied) is not entitled to claim any redundancy payment even though their employment was ceased...

Special Educational Needs Services Provision289. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will advise the parents of a 4 year old boy with severe ADHD (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who will be starting primary school in...

School Enrolments290. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is pursuing the policy of allocating school places to ensure all children have places and if so, the stage this policy is at in terms of...

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility291. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will approve an application for a student support grant in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...

State Examinations Issues292. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a pupil (details supplied) in Dublin 3 was refused support under the RACE scheme as they have a major learning difficulty; and if he...

Schools Building Projects Status293. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a detailed update on when a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be built and open for enrolment of students. [9342/14]

School Accommodation294. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence in respect of funding for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Higher Education Institutions Expenditure296. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the Higher Education Authority report on the sustainability of the higher education sector; and if he will make a statement on the...

Schools Building Projects Administration297. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way Tramore’s new co-educational secondary school and its ancillary facilities will operate under the PPP Programme, including the...

School Staffing298. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of full-time and part-time teaching, clerical and maintenance staff that will be directly employed at the new Ardscoil na Mara campus...

School Textbooks Rental Scheme299. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 regarding a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9458/14]

Student Support Schemes Issues300. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding student grants. [9463/14]

School Enrolments Data301. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the intake capacity of each secondary school in Dublin 16, 18 and 14 in 2014; the projected intake of these schools in the next five years; if he...

School Enrolments303. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 3 December 2013, the outcome of discussions between his Department and a school (details supplied) in...

Schools Building Projects Status304. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress of the four primary schools in Dublin 16 and 18, listed on the five year programme for schools and...

School Staffing305. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Meath will have a teaching staff reduction from four to three. [9532/14]

Teacher Recruitment306. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his assessment of the number of persons qualifying as teachers compared to the number of teaching jobs available (details supplied); and if he...

School Accommodation307. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will re-examine the suitability of the proposed temporary location of a new all-Irish secondary school (details supplied); if...

Languages Programme308. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider Chinese as a language subject for the leaving certificate as Chinese is the most important language subject for employment...

School Curriculum309. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on including computer programming as a leaving certificate subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9556/14]

Summer Works Scheme Applications310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has made a decision regarding an application by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal under the summer works scheme 2014. [9562/14]

Apprenticeship Programmes313. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork outlining the options available to this person who wishes to complete an...

Student Support Schemes Issues314. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in granting payment of a Student Universal Support Ireland grant in respect of a person (details supplied). [9575/14]

State Examinations Issues316. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the number of children who have been granted reasonable accommodation in respect of their junior certificate...

Higher Education Courses Provision317. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to the academic years beginning September 2010, 2011 and 2012, the total number of students with FETAC qualifications accepted onto...

School Textbooks Rental Scheme319. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that schools (details supplied) will not be unfairly penalised and deprived of the €100 grant per child due to their...

Skills Shortages320. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which it is expected to match the skill requirement of industry with the skills and qualifications of those exiting education in...

Apprenticeship Programmes321. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which provision is being made directly by his Department or through the aegis of industry to provide adequate apprenticeships to...

Special Educational Needs Staffing322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied regarding the availability adequate special needs teachers to meet the full requirements in the current year; and if he will...

School Enrolments Data324. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the school admissions policy, at primary and second level, can be tailored to meet the needs of the community in areas where...

Schools Building Projects Applications325. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he has studied submissions received from the school authorities of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in regard to...

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility326. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken or the steps he proposes to take to assist applicants for higher education courses who are being refused higher education...

Schools Building Projects Application Numbers328. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number and location of applications for new school buildings, extensions or upgrading of existing school facilities received in his...

Schools Provision329. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of his continuous dialogue with the authorities of smaller, rural or urban schools including those with a religious ethos with a view...

Bullying in Schools330. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of incidents of school bullying including cyber bullying reported to his Department through the primary and-or post-primary...

Minor Works Scheme Applications332. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give consideration to the provision of the planning and building unit grant to special needs schools and primary schools with special...

Office of Public Works Projects333. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the various projects in which the Office of Public Works is involved that require geological expertise, including geological assessment...

Flood Relief Schemes Applications334. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his proposals for drainage works on the Cregclare River, Ardrahan, County Galway, in view of the fact that families are marooned in the...

Flood Prevention Measures336. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which routine de-silting of rivers and waterways continues with particular reference to the removal of obstacles such as...

Election Equipment Storage338. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a company (details supplied) in County Carlow will be paid for storage of election equipment. [9558/14]

Flood Prevention Measures339. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the works planned for flood alleviation on the River Clare in Galway; when it is hoped that such works will begin; and if he will make a...

Departmental Staff Redeployment340. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the options available to a civil servant who, due to long-term health issues, is no longer able to travel long distances to work and...

Departmental Programmes341. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the shared services programme as part of the Government’s public service reform...

Heritage Sites342. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total annual turnover of each individual Office of Public Works visitor site in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013; the net profit...

Flood Prevention Measures343. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Office of Public Works' plans to provide adequate flood defences for the area of King's Island in Limerick city following the...

Heritage Sites347. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Deparment has conducted any impact assessment on the outsourcing of management of heritage sites; and if he will make a statement...

Value for Money Reviews348. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the extra powers for the Comptroller and Auditor General as committed to in the programme for Government; and if...

Flood Risk Assessments350. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, following the very damaging recent storms, his Department will be carrying out a full assessment of flood defences and coastal...

Sick Pay Scheme Reform351. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the regulations to be brought forward in relation to the new sick leave scheme; when this regulation will be published;...

State Properties352. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the State currently claims ownership of Cobh Titanic or has at any stage in the past owned same; and if he will make a statement on...

Public Sector Reform Implementation353. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will summarise the recommendations of the public service reform plan; the progress to date in delivering the previous reform plan;...

Land Transfers354. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8714/14]

Heritage Sites355. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8715/14]

Departmental Staff Recruitment356. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding an interdepartmental competition in 2014 for assistant principal positions within the Public Service; and if he...

Departmental Staff Data357. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff currently seconded to his Department from external companies; the company from which each person is seconded; and...

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration358. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the CEOs of semi-State companies that are on Hay contracts and those who are not on Hay contracts; if it remains his policy that the...

Coastal Protection359. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider introducing two separate grant aid schemes for coastal protection and flood relief works, one in respect of public...

Flood Relief Schemes Funding360. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the fact that local authorities had prepared and agreed their budgets prior to the storm damage and the restrictions that...

Proposed Legislation362. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the consumer protection and competition Bill; when he expects it to be introduced; and his views on the aims which it is...

EU Directives363. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any of the provisions contained within Directive 2013/34/EU on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements...

Job Creation364. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department has supports in place to encourage peer-to-peer lending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8982/14]

Microenterprise Loan Fund Applications365. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 281 of 4 February 2014, if he will provide in tabular form a county breakdown of the 153...

Departmental Agencies366. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a breakdown on a county basis of the number of jobs supported by MicroFinance Ireland; and if he will make a...

Companies Data367. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Patient Focus is a private company, compliant with the reporting obligations of company law; if it has been so compliant since...

Enterprise Support Schemes368. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the grants available to support business start-ups; if such grants are available to persons taking up franchise opportunities; and if...

Trade Missions369. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects to visit the USA next for a trade mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9416/14]

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration370. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the chief executive officers of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department who are on Hay contracts and those who are not...

Social Welfare Payments Administration371. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that social welfare recipients will still be able to collect a manual payment at their post office and not be forced to accept...

Departmental Staff Data372. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of community development officers employed by her Department in tabular form; their location across the country; and if she will make a...

Departmental Programmes373. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons presently employed on the community services programme, CSP; the number employed on CSP on a county basis; her future plans...

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments374. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the maximum rent support payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8885/14]

National Internship Scheme Administration375. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the measures that have been put in place to ensure that the JobBridge scheme is not being exploited for cheap labour; and if she will make a...

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals377. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal has been registered in the case of a person (details supplied) Dublin 10 in respect of their jobseeker's allowance application; and if...

Departmental Programmes378. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the plans for the 2014 community services programme funding for an organisation (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement...

Carer's Allowance Appeals380. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a...

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals381. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will issue payment and arrears of a domiciliary care allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if...

Pension Provisions383. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons seeking to set up their own registered business as a sole trader lose their entitlement to collect a weekly State transition...

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments384. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding social welfare payments in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9135/14]

Carer's Allowance Applications385. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of an application for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if...

Youth Guarantee386. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when she expects the youth guarantee scheme to be implemented for persons under 25 years in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the...

Public Services Card387. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of new identity cards issued by her Department to persons in receipt of social welfare payments; and if he will provide a breakdown of...

Live Register Numbers388. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons signing on in Kilbarrack and Coolock Intreo offices in December 2013 and in January 2014. [9206/14]

One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility389. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the numbers of recipients of the one parent family payment affected by the phasing out of their payments based on the age of their children in the...

State Pensions Reform390. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons affected by the recent decision to abolish the State pension transition for persons in receipt of invalidity pension. [9208/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Data391. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total amount of contributions made by rent supplement recipients in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [9210/14]

Budget 2014392. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if arrangements have been put in place by her Department as part of a measure announced under Budget 2014 to recover certain social welfare payments...

Social Insurance Fund Deficit393. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the current deficit in the Social Insurance Fund; and if recent legislative changes in respect of increasing some social insurance contributions...

Carer's Allowance Eligibility394. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person is eligible for carer’s allowance in the circumstances that they do not live with the child to whom they are providing care and...

Pension Schemes Issues395. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is a legal timeframe for trustees to wind up a pension scheme in the event of a company closure; what that time limit is; the penalties...

Pensions Ombudsman Remit396. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the Pension Ombudsman is obliged to deal with scheme queries within any regulated timeframe, for instance six or 12 months; the remedies that are...

One-Parent Family Payments398. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason an overpayment of lone parents allowance of approximately €24,000 was made to a person (details supplied) between the years 1999...

Pension Schemes Issues399. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will support a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9323/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility400. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the amount of jobseeker's allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the change in...

Community Welfare Services401. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a county breakdown and in the case of Dublin a postcode breakdown of the current and intended locations of community welfare...

Social Welfare Appeals Status402. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the refusal of every application for social welfare in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [9399/14]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals403. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a...

Departmental Offices404. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the provision of INTREO offices in Kilbarrack, Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9417/14]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility407. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim was refused a payment on medical grounds when they qualified on medical grounds two years...

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals408. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a...

Humanitarian Assistance Scheme409. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if funding to replace agricultural sheds that were extensively damaged in the recent storms will be provided from the humanitarian fund to a person...

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals411. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if she will make a statement...

Domiciliary Care Allowance Application Numbers413. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a table showing the number of domiciliary care allowance applications granted and refused; and the average length of time it...

Invalidity Pension Appeals414. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their appeal for invalidity pension; if all the medical evidence was...

Carer's Allowance Eligibility415. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason carer's allowance is being stopped in the case of a person (details supplied) In County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the...

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility416. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will introduce a scheme to assist fishermen who have suffered significant losses as a result of the recent severe weather; if she will...

Social Welfare Payments Administration417. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the amount returned to the Exchequer in the past five years from unclaimed social welfare payments as part of the social welfare payments contract...

Departmental Staff Data418. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the current staffing levels in the Castle Street community welfare office (details supplied). [9607/14]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals419. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason an appeal for domiciliary care allowance has not been assigned to an appeals officer in respect of a person (details supplied) in County...

Humanitarian Assistance Scheme420. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the means test for the humanitarian assistance scheme includes a capital assessment; the number of persons per county who have applied for relief...

Disability Allowance Payments421. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when arrears of disability allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will...

School Meals Programme422. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the current budget allocation for the school meals programme; the average funding amount provided to each school in each category of need and the...

Wildlife Protection423. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on whether the burning season should be extended a month, in view of the fact that his Department are saying that there is...

Special Areas of Conservation Designation424. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of all lands that have been removed from the Falcarragh to Meenlargh special area of conservation (details...

Severe Weather Events Response426. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form by county, the number of requests which have been received by the National Parks and Wildlife...

Heritage Sites427. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are plans in train to have the Hill of Uisneach, Killare, Mullingar, County Westmeath, nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage...

Control of Dogs428. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to introduce legislation that would ensure the control of hunting dogs based on a case (details supplied); and if he will...

Waterways Ireland Remit429. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a date has been set for him to meet with all interested parties to examine the possibility of rescuing Ireland's oldest surviving...

Irish Language Issues430. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is legislative provision which ensures that the requirements placed on Government Departments to provide services,...

Semi-State Bodies Issues431. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the chief executive officers of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department that are on Hay contracts and those who are...

Renewable Energy Exports432. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the proposed energy export policy and development framework; the number of submissions that were...

Energy Resources433. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the emergency oil stocks owned by NORA are located in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9203/14]

Domestic Gas Leaks434. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the policies that are in place to deal with domestic gas leaks and their reporting; and if he will make a statement on...

Broadcasting Service Provision435. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Saorview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9299/14]

Post Office Network436. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will support the Irish Postmasters Union plan, Open for Business, which will save 557 post offices; and if he will...

Electricity Transmission Network437. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the consequences EU Regulation 347 of 2013 may have in potentially delaying or altering Eirgrid's plans to lodge a future...

Telecommunications Services Provision438. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will review the provision of broadband services available in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare where the...

Wind Energy Generation439. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the wind farm project in Rhode, County Offaly is in compliance with a national policy framework; and if he will make a...

Inland Fisheries440. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has accepted the position of the Ombudsman that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine was correct in...

Energy Consumption442. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the megawatts of electricity that Ireland consumed in each of the years 2002-2013 in tabular form; and if he will make a...

Electricity Generation443. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects to finalise the terms of reference for the independent commission reviewing options for Gridlink and Grid...

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration444. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the Chief Executive Officers of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department that are on Hay contracts and...

Local Authority Staff Recruitment445. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will take into consideration the huge amount of damage as a result of storms to public amenities in County Kerry...

Control of Dogs446. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the provisions of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 overrides the necessity to publicly tender the dog control service...

Unfinished Housing Developments447. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of vacant units in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 11 and if any measures are being put in place for the...

Water Charges Administration448. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to his Department's role in relation to the social affordability of water charges (details supplied), if it is the...

Planning Issues449. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will use his powers under section 9 of the 2000 Planning Act to require the Waterford and Kilkenny councils to...

Local Authority Funding451. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the monetary value of all development contributions collected by each local authority to date which have not been spent;...

Cycling Facilities Provision452. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the annual spend on cycling provision, infrastructure, education and awareness...

Leader Programmes Funding453. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when a group (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for Leader funding; and if he...

Local Government Reform454. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the Local Government Reform Act 2014, when section 32 will become operative and the benefit of this innovative...

Insurance Industry Regulation455. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many of the insurance providers for architects and engineers are pulling...

Building Regulations Compliance456. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to the commencement on 1 March of mandatory self certification of building works through SI9-2014, if there are...

Community Development Projects459. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 6 February 2014, if there is capacity to generate a profit for the commercial...

Housing Issues461. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects that residents of King's Island in Limerick city, who have been displaced as a result of flooding on 1...

Regeneration Projects Status462. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the regeneration plans for the Kings Island area of Limerick city have taken into account the scale of the recent...

Waste Management Regulations463. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the changes envisaged in respect of the tyre recycling regime; if proposals are being considered to have a single national...

Local Authority Housing464. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when funding will be available to carry out insulation for Dublin City Council's solid concrete wall stock. [9185/14]

Wind Turbines466. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his Department's response to Westmeath County Council's establishment of minimum setback distances for wind turbines; and...

Fire Stations Provision467. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the proposed fire station in Kanturk, County Cork, which was announced in 2007; when work will...

Shared Ownership Scheme468. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to address the trap that many persons in shared ownership arrangements with local authorities find themselves...

Housing Issues469. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to protect tenants of voluntary housing bodies who are at threat of displacement or homelessness...

Social and Affordable Housing Provision471. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to initiate a higher standard of inspection of prospective and existing social leasing units to ensure that any...

Local Area Plans472. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the options open to a planning authority in relation to the renewing or amending of a local area plan that is about to...

Water Charges Introduction473. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water will pay for leaks on pipes where a group water scheme is connected to the Irish Water system. [9328/14]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision474. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reason Irish Water no longer intends to use DBOs for new water treatment plants. [9329/14]

Building Regulations Compliance475. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 12 February 2014, the way in which a self-builder who is not a principal or...

Motor Tax Exemptions477. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 385 of 30 April 2013 in respect of the financial year of 2013, the number of...

Housing Adaptation Grant Applications484. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if a grant is available for a new heating system in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will...

Voluntary Housing Sector486. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the current status of the Emerald housing project, Ballymun. [9452/14]

Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues488. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the assistance that will be made available to the residents and Dublin City Council to ensure the pyrite-affected houses...

Social and Affordable Housing Provision489. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of social houses that will be built as part of Ballymun regeneration. [9455/14]

Regeneration Projects Status490. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the current status of Ballymun shopping centre and future plans for the development. [9456/14]

Flood Prevention Measures491. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has had any discussion with the Department of Finance on making the purchase and installation of...

Community Development Initiatives494. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties facing local community development companies in drafting their next...

Pyrite Resolution Board Remit495. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if financial support will be made available for homes with pyritic heave that are deemed to not be significantly damaged...

Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding497. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will be allocating funding for group sewerage schemes in County Kerry in view of the recent flooding and the...

Irish Water Staff498. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if any employment opportunities may exist in Irish Water for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will...

Building Regulations Application500. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has met with representatives of Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists in relation to the impact of the...

Harbours and Piers Expenditure502. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the situation at Magheraroarty pier in County Donegal whereby dredging is required on...

Foreshore Issues503. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the steps a person at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry would need to take to remove silt and other deposit...

Animal Welfare506. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation that would ensure the control of hunting dogs based on a case (details supplied); and...

Housing Adaptation Grant Applications507. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if there are financial or medical exceptions to the housing grants scheme which permit a person aged under 66 to qualify...

Motor Tax Collection508. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will give consideration to the possibility of transferring motor tax from one vehicle to another in the event of a...

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration509. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the chief executive officers of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department that are on Hay contracts and those...

Death Certificates Issues510. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will ensure the death certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) is issued as soon as possible. [9489/14]

UN Conventions Ratification511. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the progress made towards full compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and...

Residency Permits512. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when an updated Garda national immigration bureau card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a...

Firearms Licences513. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out his plans to amend current legislation to further control and restrict the use of handguns which are currently licensed, including...

Garda Vetting Applications514. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the position regarding an application for Garda clearance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement...

Garda Recruitment515. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason he failed to make the initial recruitment from the Garda reserve during the recent recruitment process; and if he will make a...

Crime Investigation516. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to detail the number of times An Garda Síochána applied to the courts to mount surveillance or interception operations under the...

Crime Prevention517. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to detail the action he is taking to tackle crime in rural communities. [9236/14]

Crime Levels518. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has carried out any assessment of the impact of the closure of rural Garda stations on the levels and detection of crime in rural areas....

Cross-Border Co-operation520. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the problem of cross-border agricultural...

Garda Operations522. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 11 February 2014 if he will confirm the gender breakdown of those arrested and charged under the...

Crime Data523. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will instruct An Garda Síochána to collect statistics on hate crimes committed here as a standard and regular reporting tool and...

Equality Proofing of Policies524. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out his plans regarding section 37 of the Employment Equality Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9259/14]

Prisoner Health525. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the health situation of a person (details supplied) currently imprisoned at the Dóchas Centre, Mountjoy Prison is being monitored on a...

Prisoner Welfare528. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline his views on whether the public interest is being served by the continuing imprisonment of a person (details supplied) who has several...

Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal Awards529. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No 321 of 12 November 2013 if he will provide an update on the case in question and when the person will...

Joint Policing Committees Remit532. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the development and outcome of the review process of the role of the joint policing committees in the context of...

Court Accommodation Provision533. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the position regarding the use of Athlone District Court, County Westmeath; if cases involving persons who are being held in custody...

Garda Transport Provision534. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality for details on the number of Garda patrol cars in active service within the Galway west division on 31 January 2009, 31 January 2010, 31 January...

Criminal Law Review535. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline his views on using as a blueprint for legislation the recent report on the review of legislation on prostitution by the Joint...

Road Traffic Accidents Data536. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 512 of 4 February 2014 if the drivers involved in fatal road collisions who held provisional licences were...

Legal Aid Applications537. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on an appeal for free legal aid in respect of a of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a...

Neighbourhood Watch Schemes538. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that over 1,500 people attended a recent public meeting in County Donegal to outline their concerns...

Garda Strength539. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total strength of the Garda National Surveillance Unit on an annual basis since its inception; the total budget per annum since its...

Prison Liaison Service541. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will designate a liaison person from the prison service who will liaise with Dublin City Council and local residents on the derelict site...

Garda Stations Opening Hours542. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if any of the Garda stations in the Dublin Region will have an open day within the next six months; the dates and times of each; if he will...

Personal Insolvency Act543. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons, on a county basis, who have engaged, so far, with the Personal Insolvency Service, under the three separate headings,...

Surveillance Operations544. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has signed any document approving surveillance - covert, electronic or otherwise - on any serving Member of the Oireachtas since 9 March...

Garda Stations Closures549. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Garda station in Rathcormack, County Cork is due to close; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9549/14]

Magdalen Laundries550. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications received, pay-outs issued and medical benefits secured to survivors of the Magdalen laundries; and if he will make a...

Firearms Issues551. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding firearms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9605/14]

Garda Transport Provision552. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will make the necessary resources available for a Garda car for Kinnegad Garda station; if he will confirm that there will be no reduction...

Family Reunification Policy553. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding his Department's policy document on non-EEA family reunification and the persons issue...

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure554. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount in consultancy fees that has been spent with a company (details supplied) and similar type companies over the past five years; and if...

Consultancy Contracts555. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to his statement on 18 February 2014 that he had received a peer review report on the technical matters of relevance from a company...

Restorative Justice556. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will introduce the Restorative Justice Bill. [9656/14]

Magdalen Laundries557. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Magdalen redress scheme. [9657/14]

Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal Awards558. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when new members of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board will be appointed; the number of cases to be considered; and the length of...

Crime Investigation560. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will investigate serious allegations of phone hacking by a company (details supplied) from their Dublin offices over at period of years in...

Court Procedures561. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reasons evidence caught on CCTV cameras is not allowed to be used in court; the purpose of having CCTV in public places if evidence cannot...

Magdalen Laundries562. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will deliver all the entitlements and benefits of the restorative justice called for by Mr. Justice Quirke, that is, pensions and health...

Defence Forces Operations565. To ask the Minister for Defence with regard to the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993 and Section 6(1) thereof, the number of applications...

Defence Forces Recruitment566. To ask the Minister for Defence when he will open recruitment for the Defence Forces; the recruitment process which applicants would need to undertake; and if he will make a statement on the...

Defence Forces Personnel Data567. To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 10 of 6 February 2014, the title and locations of the six consultancy medical services referred to in his response; the...

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration571. To ask the Minister for Defence the chief executive officers of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department that are on Hay contracts and those who are not on Hay contracts; and...

Water Quality572. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether, in the context of timber poles that are treated with bituminous products - as preservatives - such as tar and that are used...

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments573. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8891/14]

Horse Racing Industry Development574. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has information available on the value and economic contribution of the thoroughbred industry; the number of persons the sector...

Single Payment Scheme Appeals575. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) with respect to 2012 single payment scheme; and...

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments576. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area payment will issue to a person (details supplied) County Tipperary; the reasons for the delay in payment;...

Equine Industry Issues578. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding existing by-laws whereby a town or county council agent can enter private property and remove horses from...

Agricultural Colleges Staff579. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase staffing levels in agricultural colleges to meet the demands of new students enrolling in the colleges; and if...

Potato Sector580. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he is taking to promote potato producer groups in order to support growers in marketing their produce. [9190/14]

Livestock Theft581. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing a compensation scheme for farmers who have been affected by livestock thefts, especially as farmers...

Departmental Schemes582. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the 2013 single payment and disadvantaged areas schemes will issue to a person (details supplied) in County...

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Appeals583. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their appeal on agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, 3;...

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments584. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their disadvantaged area scheme payment; and if he will...

Grant Payments585. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the penalties being imposed in respect of farm payments; the reason there is not prior notification given to the...

Commonage Issues586. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all commonage areas should be examined on their grazing merits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9271/14]

Single Payment Scheme Eligibility588. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether farmers from outside disadvantaged areas should not be allowed to rent commonages or private mountains in...

Rural Development Programme Projects589. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the fact that a group of farmers (details supplied) believe that the new GLAS scheme is unworkable; and if he will make...

Grassland Sheep Scheme Payments590. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grassland payment will be retained and improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9275/14]

Equine Industry Issues591. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress there has been in attracting further foreign interests to invest in the thoroughbred and bloodstock sectors here; and if...

Registration of Title592. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the land held by a sporting body (details supplied) in Dublin 7 were originally provided by the Land Commission, upon the...

Single Payment Scheme Payments594. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of a single farm payment 2013 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments595. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 679 of 15 January 2014, when payment of REP scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in...

Single Payment Scheme Appeals596. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on the review of a single farm payment over claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County...

Storm Damage Compensation597. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will put in place a compensation scheme for farmers who suffered damage to uninsured farm buildings and equipment in recent...

Single Payment Scheme Payments598. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal under the single farm payment scheme for 2013; and if he...

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments600. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area payment scheme 2013 payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will...

Single Payment Scheme Eligibility601. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for cuts to the single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a...

Severe Weather Events Response602. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if under the proposals for the Common Fisheries Policy, moneys would be available for assistance in upgrading or buying new gear for...

Single Payment Scheme Appeals604. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their appeal for single farm payment; and if he will make...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments605. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite a rural environment protection scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if...

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments607. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri-environment option scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he...

Bovine Disease Controls608. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm receipt of correspondence of the ERAD division from my office in respect of a person (detail supplied) in County...

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments609. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in processing an application for AEOS in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he...

Forestry Sector611. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that forestry management regulations are being proposed as legislation prior to the publication of a draft of the proposed...

Beef Industry Issues612. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of companies involved in the disposal of offal from the meat processing trade; and his views on whether there is...

Live Exports614. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the export trade in live cattle; if he will provide an update on the registration and licensing of vessels for...

Sea Lice Controls615. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department has not responded to the European Commission's request for the Department's views on the reopening of the...

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration616. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the chief executive officers of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department who are on Hay contracts and those who are not...

Child Protection Guidelines617. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that sporting organisations follow the Children First guidelines and other best practice for ensuring the rights of...

Preschool Services618. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to provide for an additional free preschool year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9081/14]

Adoption Legislation620. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of recent comments in support of adoption rights as part of her national discourse on ethics, if she will now bring forward...

Child Care Services Funding621. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address the issues experienced by a child care service (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will streamline the...

Departmental Funding622. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update with regard to funding to relocate a facility (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a...

Preschool Services623. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department is considering the administration of preschool places on a geographical basis or if it is a matter of parental choice as...

Inter-Country Adoptions624. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason dossiers are not being sent to India, as per the US-Mexico model, for those couples who have been approved by the Health Service...

Departmental Funding625. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding available for children's playground facilities; her policy regarding the development of same; the involvement of local...

Family Support Services626. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will increase the number of family support workers in north Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9418/14]

Departmental Correspondence628. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a final reply will issue in respect of correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9539/14]

Medical Card Eligibility630. To ask the Minister for Health if JobBridge scheme payments are recognised as a payment from his Department in terms of qualifying for the retention of a medical card on return to work; and...

Health Services Issues631. To ask the Minister for Health the supports available in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9604/14]

Hepatitis C Compensation Payments632. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 689 of 18 February 2014, if he will confirm that the accounting error he specifies in his reply also occurred in the...

Commencement of Legislation633. To ask the Minister for Health the aspects of the Disability Act 2005 that are yet to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9494/14]

Medicinal Products Licensing634. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of serious adverse reactions to Lariam, using the strict medical definition of "serious", reported to the Irish Medicines Board, where the...

Dental Services Provision635. To ask the Minister for Health the total sum that has been spent to date on the national dental software system computerised project; the costing on an annual basis; if the project is still...

Hospital Waiting Lists636. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the provisions of a surgical appointment for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10. [8960/14]

Public Health Policy637. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there is an investment in highlighting and informing the public about the dangers of endometriosis which is a particular issue with...

Mental Health Services Provision639. To ask the Minister for Health the reason there are 56 posts in child and adolescent mental health services which were sanctioned last year and have not been filled, and 15 posts which were...

Tobacco Control Measures640. To ask the Minister for Health given that many smokers have found e-cigarettes a good substitute for smoking, and that there has been a huge increase in people giving up smoking by using...

Graduate Nursing Scheme Issues642. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a postgraduate course for persons who have qualified in psychiatric nursing to further study in general nursing; if so, when this course...

Hospital Appointment Status643. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8993/14]

Drug Treatment Programmes Places644. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown the number of persons on methadone treatment for substance addiction recovery; the number of treatment centres...

Medical Card Applications645. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [8997/14]

Wind Energy Guidelines647. To ask the Minister for Health the research his Department carried out regarding the potential health risks of erecting industrial wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the...

Health Services Provision648. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for glasses in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Health Services Staff Sick Leave649. To ask the Minister for Health the number of Health Service Executive employees who have been removed from its sick-leave scheme in each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 in each of its...

Primary Care Centres Provision650. To ask the Minister for Health when he expects a planning application to be submitted in respect of a primary care centre in Ballinrobe, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the...

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists651. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Offaly receives an appointment for orthodontic treatment without delay. [9078/14]

Speech and Language Therapy652. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the long waiting list for occupational therapy and speech and language therapy in areas (details supplied) in County Dublin...

Counselling Services653. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the closure of the Women’s Therapy Centre Ireland, 23 Herbert Street, Dublin 2; the steps that can be taken to...

Care of the Elderly Provision655. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding beds in Kenmare Community Hospital. [9105/14]

Medical Card Eligibility657. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether it is fair, right and proper that all persons who are on a transplant list for any organ should automatically be entitled to a full...

Nursing Home Services658. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a submission (details supplied); if the costs as outlined by a nursing home are within the guidelines of the legislation; if he is satisfied that...

Medical Card Applications659. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9136/14]

Services for People with Disabilities660. To ask the Minister for Health if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding St. Michael's House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9174/14]

Psychological Assessments661. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 has not yet received a Health Service Executive psychological assessment despite the family having...

Psychological Services662. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the average waiting time for young persons to receive a psychological assessment from the Health Service Executive in the...

Medical Card Applications663. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [9202/14]

Health Services Provision664. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department will, on a temporary basis, supply a mobile public health facility for the King's Island area of Limerick city to deal with public health...

Mental Health Services Funding665. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to utilise the €50 million savings on the temporary risk equalisation scheme; if he will allocate some of these savings to mental health...

Medical Card Eligibility666. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the facilitation of better access to medical cards for patients with primary immunodeficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the...

Medicinal Products Availability667. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding enabling the self-possession of emergency medications to patients with C1 inhibitor deficiency hereditary angioedema, as is common...

Rare Diseases Strategy Implementation669. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision for primary immunodeficiencies in the National Plan for Rare Diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9252/14]

HSE Expenditure670. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of money paid by the Health Service Executive to a company (details supplied) in each of the following years 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. [9260/14]

Hospital Staff671. To ask the Minister for Health the number of communications staff that are employed directly by each of the new hospital groupings and the Health Service Executive separately; the individual...

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure673. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of money that has been paid to health consultants known as Health Partnership by the Health Service Executive and-or hospital groupings in each of...

Medical Card Applications674. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9269/14]

Medical Card Reviews675. To ask the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) in County Carlow will have a decision on their medical card review. [9282/14]

Health Services Staff Issues676. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary question No. 206 of 29 January 2014, if he will indicate from where Northgate Arinso Ireland processes payroll for the Health Service...

Prescription Medicines677. To ask the Minister for Health if he will name the various anti-malaria medications the Irish Medicines Board would consider suitable for sub-Saharan Africa, in the knowledge that the final...

Health Services Issues678. To ask the Minister for Health the action being taken to provide for the urgent care needs of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9314/14]

Prescription Charges679. To ask the Minister for Health if he will examine the anomalous situation which results in medical card holders on mixed dosage medication being charged for each mililitre size as an...

Hospital Services680. To ask the Minister for Health if he will support a person (details supplied) in County Galway regarding surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9324/14]

Prescription Charges682. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide in detail, any changes in prescription charges for medical card holders, specifically in relation to charges pertaining to generic,...

Health Services Issues683. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding appointments in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9334/14]

Hospital Appointment Delays685. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is ill and who urgently requires cataract treatment has to wait for a preliminary appointment until...

Health Services Issues686. To ask the Minister for Health if he will deal with the following matter (details supplied) regarding medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9376/14]

Departmental Correspondence687. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide the statement-letter issued in 2012 when the campaign for independent living campaigned overnight to stop cuts in their personal assistant...

Hospitals Funding688. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 190 and 191 of 22 January 2014 when a response will issue from the Health Service Executive. [9385/14]

Services for People with Disabilities689. To ask the Minister for Health the action he is taking to ensure that services for young persons with autism will be in place after they turn 18 years of age in the north Dublin area. [9392/14]

Hospitals Funding690. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 5 February 2014 if he will provide the details of the 2014 budgets for hospitals (details supplied) and the 2013...

Drug Rehabilitation Clinics691. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the current addiction services provided by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9420/14]

Hospital Procedures692. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called by the orthopaedic section in the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly. [9479/14]

Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage693. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the drug Fampyra is not being made available under the drug payment scheme in view of the fact that it proved very beneficial for sufferers of...

Medical Card Applications694. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway is likely to receive their medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9488/14]

Legal Matters695. To ask the Minister for Health if he will renew his efforts to establish the contributions paid by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare from 1970 to 1990 in respect of their care at...

Hospital Acquired Infections696. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the MRSA problem in hospitals here; the most recent statistics for hospitals over the past five years; the number of deaths...

Hospital Waiting Lists697. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details provided) regarding a hip operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8758/14]

Medical Card Applications698. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9507/14]

Hospital Staff Recruitment699. To ask the Minister for Health in respect of Waterford Regional Hospital, there are two part-time consultants in post and one ophthalmic surgeon, there are three permanent vacancies, one of...

Maternity Services700. To ask the Minister for Health if he will allay the very real fears of persons in Sligo, Leitrim, south Donegal and west Cavan by confirming that full maternity services will continue at...

Services for People with Disabilities701. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to cut the waiting times for those who require wheelchairs and aids by allowing the Health Service Executive to take back and recycle those that are...

Departmental Correspondence702. To ask the Minister for Health when a final reply will issue in respect of correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9538/14]

Alcohol Pricing703. To ask the Minister for Health when he expects to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9541/14]

Medicinal Products Availability704. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken by his Department to ensure that all pharmacies are aware that under existing provisions in the current Medicinal Products...

Maternity Services707. To ask the Minister for Health the terms of reference for the proposed review of maternity services; the person carrying out the review; the level of public consultation there will be around...

Primary Care Centres Expenditure708. To ask the Minister for Health the total funding allocated for the roll out of primary care centres in 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9601/14]

Hospital Charges709. To ask the Minister for Health the cover provided by the €100 hospital bill in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10; if a patient does not receive treatment or...

Care Services710. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a long-term care plan for a family (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9606/14]

Medical Card Data711. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of medical cards on 1 February 2014; the total number of general practitioner cards on the same date; and the total number for each type of...

Hospital Staff Recruitment712. To ask the Minister for Health the date on which a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon will be appointed in the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda; the reason for the delay up to this...

Hospital Waiting Lists713. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for paediatric orthopaedic surgery in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital; the average wait time on this list; and if he...

Hospital Procedures714. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children who have been sent overseas during each of the past three years for paediatric orthopaedic surgery; and if he will make a statement on...

Hospital Services715. To ask the Minister for Health if a policy has been introduced in Galway University Hospital whereby pain relief treatment for multiple sclerosis and cancer patients will be provided to new...

Hospital Facilities716. To ask the Minister for Health if a community hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal is currently party to a contract with a company in Letterkenny with respect to the provision of...

Health Services Staff Recruitment717. To ask the Minister for Health if he will lift the recruitment embargo in the health service to allow the recruitment, on a permanent full-time basis, of young persons who have been trained...

Nursing Home Services718. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that many essential therapies such as occupational therapy, speech and language, medical nutrition are being denied to public nursing home patients...

Ambulance Service Provision719. To ask the Minister for Health the full complement of ambulance vehicles operated by the National Ambulance Service across the State and across each of the three divisions of the service;...

Ambulance Service Staff720. To ask the Minister for Health the number of personnel employed by the National Ambulance Service; if he will provide a breakdown of their number by designated roles; if he will provide a...

Home Help Service Provision721. To ask the Minister for Health if home help will be restored in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9732/14]

Hospital Waiting Lists722. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive an appointment for treatment. [9733/14]

Roads Maintenance723. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if landowners have ownership and responsibility for trees verging road ways; if they are responsible for the removal of these trees if...

Traffic Regulations725. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has any plans to permit limousines, as licensed small public service vehicles to avail of bus lanes; and if he will make a...

Road Tolls726. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made regarding ensuring that HGVs registered in the Republic are exempt from the UK's road user charge while operating into...

Sports Capital Programme Eligibility727. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the assessment criteria that will operate for the current round of the sports capital programme; the manner in which it will be scored;...

Sporting Organisations728. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any person-body has oversight over sporting organisations' implementation of Children First guidelines and other Government policy...

Roads Maintenance729. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans that are in place for Cobh, County Cork, to improve the infrastructure in the area because at present during bad weather the...

Road Openings730. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to open a new access road (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8999/14]

Cycling Facilities Provision731. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to develop a cycle path between Athlone, County Westmeath and Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on...

Public Transport Provision732. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on extending the DART service to a town (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Roads Maintenance733. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to improve a section of road (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the...

Road Projects735. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a portion of the roads contingency budget will be provided over the next four years to complete a road (details supplied) in County...

Public Transport Provision736. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide consideration to the provision of a more regular off-peak rail service to a town (details supplied) in County Dublin;...

Swimming Pool Projects737. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a progress report on the redevelopment of a facility (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will provide assurances...

Road Traffic Offences738. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the liability of cyclists in accidents involving pedestrians; his views on whether the current legislation provides enough protection to...

State Airports739. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the decision by SIPTU union members of the Dublin Airport Authority to partake in industrial or strike action over a pension...

National Car Test740. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding an NCT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9357/14]

Driver Licence Applications741. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average waiting time for the processing of the new driving licences in each of the new National Driver Licence Service designated...

Road Network744. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to link two roads (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8806/14]

Pension Provisions745. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine a matter regarding pensions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9499/14]

Public Transport Issues747. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on introducing an exemption to small public service vehicle branding requirements in respect of limousines, operators of which...

Roads Maintenance748. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will repair a piece of infrastructure (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9529/14]

Driver Licence Applications749. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider setting up an online tracking system for driving licence applications similar to that used by the Passport Office....

Rail Services751. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget for retrofitting existing DART trains; the retrofitting jobs that are being carried out on current DART stock; and if he will...

Rail Accidents755. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown into categories of the number of incidents which occurred on the Luas red and green lines in 2011, 2012...

Road Improvement Schemes756. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the tunnel on the Kenmare to Glengarriff N71 road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...

Bus Éireann Services757. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons the Letterkenny-Dublin, Letterkenny-Galway and Letterkenny-Derry bus routes have not been made fully wheelchair accessible;...

Driver Licences759. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the problems associated with obtaining official application forms regarding driving licences in the...

Search and Rescue Service760. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the work by his Department on examining the introduction of a capital grant scheme to assist the...

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration761. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the chief executive officers of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department that are on Hay contracts and those who are not on...